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The saga started with a solitary photograph, perhaps the most impactful ever snapped of a royal family member.

Present was the Duke of York, arm-in-arm a female youth, while another individual grinned conspiratorially in the rear.

Absent that snapshot, shot at a party in 2001, it would have been difficult to accept the allegations of a young woman who declared she was transported across the sea and compelled to have perfunctory relations with a prince of the royal family?

An odd, indicative move by someone who had overtly stated to have not known about her, asserted he could not have had intimate contact with her, and yet handed over a substantial sum of his mother's money to avert a drawn-out lawsuit.

A Long Period of Disgrace

In this context, discussions of the royals acting decisively to distance themselves from Andrew are inaccurate. This affair has continued for the majority of 15 years since that image, and another photo of Andrew ambling pleasantly with a disgraced financier came to light.

• Arrogance: For what duration did his family members, possibly even his mother and father, understand that Andrew was so self-entitled?
• Dubious Friendships: They must have understood, if his staff and the law enforcement were performing their duties, that he had some deeply disreputable companions given he publicly welcomed them to royal residences.
• Monetary Excess: If the household did not know about his sexual proclivities, they certainly knew about his extravagance with state resources.

Travel were listed in royal annual reports: chopper transfers from the palace to a sporting venue and back again in time for dining, private flights instead of commercial flights, all for the convenience of "Airmiles Andy".

Existence of Entitlement

Then there was the arrogance which demanded deference when he entered a area or the profound obsession about his honorifics used on his correspondence in communication to his friends.

He avoided accountability while his mother, who inexplicably indulged him, was still living. The sovereign did at least strip him of public duties and honorary colonelcies in the aftermath of his catastrophic and, as revealed, deceptive media appearance six years ago.

Current Situation

It was only in the last 14 days that events progressed rapidly, following the release of accounts giving more troubling information of his actions and that of his connections.

More information have again revealed Andrew's thinking that he could get away with lying about his interaction with a disgraced individual.

People (and the journalists) were far more perceptive of the royals. There was not a single person of any importance to support him, a result of all those years of hubris.

Institutional Fears

The more astute royals realized that. The one imperative is to hand down the crown, if not as previously at least complete and unblemished.

Over time the last 190 years trying to overcome the image of previous monarchs, showing they are valuable, dutiful and attentive to their citizens.

His actions endangered all that in jeopardy in an time when submission and discretion is no longer enough.

Consequences

Finally, the well-known indecisive sovereign was pressured further. There was no other option. The royal household had surrendered command of the account.

Presently the stripping of titles and the persistent and permanent personal shame that will hurt Andrew most severely.

• Downgrading: Lowered to just a commoner
• Historical Precedent: The primary royal to lose his honorifics in modern times
• Military Service: Notably stinging given his role in the conflict

He is still a counsellor of state, on paper able to act for the king, and he is still eighth in line to the throne, but neither of these will truly occur.

What Lies Ahead

Do individuals he encounters still defer to him? Might they still forget themselves and call him Prince? Will they even say Mr,

Of course, he is not withdrawing to an ordinary town, but to the royal family's vast estate at a royal residence.

There, he will be furnished by the monarch with one of the royal residences and given some sort of financial support.

This differs from his prior accommodation, where he paid a nominal payment for more than 20 years, and Norfolk is a bit far, but even so it may not be adequate distance.

Outstanding Concerns

Matters remain unresolved. There are still documents in the possession of overseas authorities to be revealed.

• Parliamentary Interest: Will parliament demand more
• Financial Investigation: Or investigate the misuse of state resources
• Criminal Investigation: There may even be a law enforcement inquiry into his behavior

Maybe for the moment the institutional damage to the institution is limited. The statement from the institution was evidently that the revocation of designations was what the sovereign, and notably other senior royals, desired.

Altered Approach

No more pretence that Andrew was acting willingly. And, significantly, the concise announcement showed plainly that the institution were aligning with the accuser's narrative of occurrences.

Additionally, for the premiere occasion they eventually showed consideration for the survivors: "These actions are considered essential, regardless of the truth that he maintains his innocence of the accusations against him."

Ultimately it is arrogance, selfishness and inactivity that will kill the institution. In his stupidity, self-indulgence and corruption, Andrew gives the impression never to have learned that lesson.